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'Leaks are protected by freedom of expression'; Leopoldo Maldonado discusses Marina del Pilar's case on Con los de Casa
🇲🇽 Mexico /Culture & Society

'Leaks are protected by freedom of expression'; Leopoldo Maldonado discusses Marina del Pilar's case on Con los de Casa

From El Universal · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Leopoldo Maldonado of Article 19 defends the right to leak information, stating it is protected by freedom of expression and vital for journalism.
  • He argues that focusing on prosecuting leaks distracts from the information revealed, especially when institutional transparency channels are closed.
  • Maldonado stresses that authorities should protect both the sources of leaks and the journalists who disseminate public interest information.

Leopoldo Maldonado, director of the press freedom organization Article 19, asserts that leaked information is protected by freedom of expression and plays a crucial role in journalism. He argues that debates surrounding the release of sensitive information, such as audio recordings attributed to Baja California Governor Marina del Pilar Ávila Olmeda, should center on the content of the revelations rather than pursuing the source of the leak.

If you are closing the paths of transparency and you are promoting or incentivizing in a certain way the leak, which is completely legitimate, which is protected by freedom of expression that is a practice that in fact gives life to journalism, then you have to accept the consequences.

— Leopoldo MaldonadoArticle 19 director explaining the legitimacy and protection of leaked information.

Maldonado contends that when institutional avenues for transparency are restricted, anonymous sources and leaks become more prevalent. He stated, “If you are closing the paths of transparency and you are promoting or incentivizing in a certain way the leak, which is completely legitimate, which is protected by freedom of expression that is a practice that in fact gives life to journalism, then you have to accept the consequences.” He emphasized that in the absence of reliable institutional channels for accessing public information, leaks serve a vital function for journalistic investigation.

Addressing concerns about journalists being compelled to reveal their sources, Maldonado noted that Mexico City has legislation safeguarding professional secrecy against judicial and prosecutorial inquiries. He also recalled efforts at the beginning of the previous presidential term to establish a protocol for protecting whistleblowers, recognizing their importance for transparency.

There are no institutional paths for information, there are leaks, then what you have to address is rather to protect who receives the message and who gives the message.

— Leopoldo MaldonadoArticle 19 director on the role of leaks when institutional information access is limited.

Maldonado cautioned that investigating journalists for stories based on leaks diverts attention from the substance of the information itself. He described this tactic as "attacking the messenger to dilute the message," thereby shifting the public discourse away from the facts that have been brought to light. Ultimately, he reiterated that leaks are an integral part of journalistic practice, and authorities have a responsibility to protect both the sources and the recipients of information that serves the public interest, particularly when official channels for information are limited.

Attacking the messenger, to dilute the message.

— Leopoldo MaldonadoArticle 19 director describing the strategy of investigating journalists to distract from leaked information.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by El Universal in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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